7-Day Fishing Forecast for Edinburgh (19.01.2026 - 25.01.2026)
Introduction
Welcome to the comprehensive 7-day fishing forecast for Edinburgh. This guide aims to equip anglers with the latest weather and fishing conditions, alongside expert advice tailored to local species like carp, pike, perch, roach, bream, and tench. Whether you're coarse fishing, match fishing, or specimen hunting, this forecast will help optimise your success on the water.
Weather Conditions
The current and upcoming weather in Edinburgh is characterised by cold temperatures starting around 1.8°C in the early morning, rising to highs of approximately 7°C later in the week. Winds will remain generally light to moderate from the southeast, increasing to stronger gusts approaching 15 mph midweek. Expect scattered to overcast clouds with a likelihood of light rain showers, particularly from Wednesday onwards. Humidity levels will be relatively high, maintaining moist conditions favourable for active fish.
These conditions suggest early morning frosts with occasional damp spells, but generally stable weather for outdoor angling. Wind direction and strength should be closely monitored to select sheltered spots, especially for delicate tactics and float fishing.
7-Day Fishing Forecast
The fishing outlook for Edinburgh over the next seven days is promising for a variety of coarse species. Mild temperatures and soft winds will encourage fish activity, particularly during the warmer parts of the day.
- Carp: Focus efforts in sheltered bays with moderate water depth. Use sweetcorn or pellet baits near weed beds, particularly on still days with light winds.
- Pike: Good opportunities at dawn and dusk near submerged structures. Employ deadbait rigs or large lures to entice the larger specimens.
- Perch: Active during daylight hours in weedy margins. Small jigs or maggots suspended under a quill float should yield good results.
- Roach: Best targeted in slow-moving waters using caster or loose feed groundbait. Match fishing tactics will work well, especially on calmer days.
- Bream: Tend to be found in deeper waters close to the river or lake bed. Use granular baits and fish size 12 to 14 hooks for higher catch rates.
- Tench: Prefer silty bottoms and warmer pockets of water. A method feeder with luncheon meat or worms is effective during midweek calmer weather.
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Expert Opinion
This forecast suggests favourable conditions for winter coarse fishing in Edinburgh waters. With temperatures remaining above freezing and manageable winds, now is the time to tune your tactics for precision and patience. Early mornings and late afternoons may see less fish activity due to chill, so mid-morning to early afternoon sessions could be the most productive.
Winter fishing requires adapted techniques and gear care to counter cold impacts. Keep your lines treated and your hands warm to maintain a swift response and enjoyable day on the bank.
Winter Fishing: Essential Tips and Techniques
Setting Up Your Rod
- Attach your main line to the reel
- Treat the line with petroleum jelly using a cotton pad to prevent it from freezing
- Wind the line onto the reel
- Fit the strike indicator (quill) to the rod tip
- Thread the line through all the rod rings
Making Your Own Jigs
- Take a small weight and tiny hook
- Bend the hook with pliers
- Clamp a small lead weight near the hook eye
- Paint the weight with nail varnish for visibility
- Tie the jig to your main line
Constructing a Maggot Box
- Cut two rectangles from polystyrene foam
- Hollow out the interior of one piece
- Join both pieces with tape along one edge
- Place a piece of newspaper inside to retain moisture
- Fill with maggots
- Seal with an elastic band
Making Bait from Mandarin Peel
- Remove the skin from mandarins
- Dry the peel thoroughly
- Crumble it finely by hand or using a coffee grinder
- Sprinkle the mixture into your hole
Setting Up a Tip-Up (Winter Trap)
- Drill a hole through the ice
- Pour a little oil into the hole to prevent refreezing
- Lower the hook with live bait into the water
- Wind the line and raise the flag
Heated Gloves DIY Project
- Cut two pieces from cardboard
- Make several slots
- Weave nichrome wire between the slots
- Prepare a charging cable: cut off the plug and strip the insulation
- Attach two wires (approximately one metre long) to the positive and negative contacts
- Insulate the connections
- Connect the wires to the heating elements
- Attach to a power bank
- Place the power bank in your jacket's inside pocket
- Run the wires through your sleeves to the gloves
Storing Your Rod
- Cut a small section from a wine cork
- Apply superglue
- Glue it to the rod handle as a jig holder
Clearing a Frozen Auger
- Submerge the auger in the hole for several minutes
- The water will thaw the frozen mechanism
- The auger will fold away effortlessly
Conclusions
This week's fishing forecast for Edinburgh highlights good conditions with mild winter temperatures and manageable wind strengths, encouraging active coarse fish. By employing appropriate bait, tackle care, and aligning your sessions with favourable weather windows, anglers can expect productive outings targeting species such as carp, pike, and tench. Stay prepared for intermittent rain and adjust your plans accordingly to enjoy a successful week of coarse and specimen fishing.